Give Me The Rock
this is fantasy basketball
Week 16 in fantasy basketball is going to get a little bit more funky than usual. Why? Well for starters, it’s the week that culminates in the NBA All-Star weekend.
This means that there are far less NBA games played in this week than any other during the season.
ONLY the Orlando Magic has THREE games scheduled this week. All the other teams have either one or two games on tap. That means players like Matt Barnes, J.J. Redick, Mickael Pietrus, and Marcin Gortat may have a little bit of extra value than normal in leagues of various depths; at least for this week. Stream in or grab those guards for an extra boost in threes and a few points. While Gortat may be able to add a few boards and a block or two to your team’s totals for the week. Study your upcoming match-up and if those cats are going to be tough, then consider these Magic players. These guys may be especially useful to you if your fantasy team is loaded with players who play for teams that have only one game this week.
Teams with TWO games: ATL, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, DET, GSW, LAC, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NJN, NOR, PHI, POR, SAC, SAN, UTA
Teams with ONE game: BOS, HOU, IND, MEM, NYK, OKL, PHO, TOR, WAS
In spite of having only one game this week, I would still opt to start several players due to the value of the numbers they are capable of producing in one game. I would play Kevin Durant, Steve Nash, Danny Granger, Chris Bosh, David Lee, Zach Randolph
There’s a second tier of player who I would start if DID NOT have competitive replacements playing two games this week and they are: Rajon Rondo, Troy Murphy, Nate Robinson, Amar’e Stoudemire, Antawn Jamison, and maybe Aaron Brooks (but he’s pushing it).
Along with the schedule being a bit on the wonky side, this all-star week represents a long break for many players who are in need of extra rest and will be shut down by their teams for the week.
Joakim Noah is going to get his plantar-fasciitis-afflicted feet some much needed extra rest and so Brad Miller may actually be a reasonable filler at C during these two games.
Brandon Roy will remain out. This is something I saw coming. Keep him benched.
Samuel Dalembert is currently needed by his team, but since his back is sore look for his minutes to be reduced and you may want to consider benching him in favor of a lesser center who also is playing two games for the week.
Kevin Love owners got a bit of a scare during Minnesota’s game versus Memphis, when he suffered a knee injury during the game. Thankfully he came back to the game and was still able to play. I wouldn’t be surprised if his minutes are limited this week as well. Consider Ryan Hollins for some extra boards, blocks and minor FG% boosting, if you are playing in deep leagues. He will likely remain as Al Jefferson’s partner in the T-Wolves’ starting frontcourt this week.
Kobe Bryant is an interesting case this week. He’s on player-option mode on whether he feels up to playing on his sore left ankle or not. Given what KB is capable of putting up in two games, I would say that he is a worthwhile calculated risk to start for fantasy this week.
Speaking of rest-options, Chauncey Billups was allowed to take a game off by the Nuggets this week to rest a tweaked ankle. Similar to Kobe, Billups is worth a start even if he ends up playing only one game this week. One good Billups game will still odds are be statistically superior to, say, two mediocre Beno Udrih games.
Carlos Boozer is back. Bench Paull Millsap once again. It shouldn’t be much longer until Boozer is traded and Millsap can be cycled back into starting lineups once again.
That’s it for now. Enjoy the All-star game and all the other events that will comprise the weekend. Cheers!
Tags: Carlos Boozer, Chauncey Billups, Joakim Noah, Kevin Love, Kpbe Bryant
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